RESEARCH AND SOCIAL AWARENESS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE NATURA 2000 NETWORK PROTECTED AREAS IN THE MADRID AUTONOMOUS REGION

The Natura 2000 Network is as yet unknown to most Spaniards.

In the Madrid regional Autonomy, management plans are being drawn up for the declaration of land falling within the Natura 2000 Network as Protected Areas.

In this metropolitan area, where urban development embodies the principal threat to the conservation of natural heritage, there is a need to involve the population in order for this management to be truly effective.

In this sense, characterisation of the residents and users of these areas, which present noteworthy natural values, constitutes the first step of a communication, education and participation plan that is coherent with, and supports, the management plans.

The final objective is to involve society in the protection of a valuable area, perceived as belonging to society, and to provide awareness of the underlying risks and threats.

Our team, with much experience in research on the social aspects of protected areas, is currently designing the methodology applicable to Natura 2000 Network.

This research presents the basic lines of the structure of the Management Support Plan designed for the Jarama and Henares River Basins protected area, belonging to the Natura 2000 Network in the Madrid regional Autonomy. We employ a methodology based upon the Logical Framework Approach, along with the project cycle, in order to set operative objectives, adapted to the real needs existing in the area.